French Equatorial Africa

➧

French Equatorial Africa was a region in Central Africa encompassing Congo Republic, Ubangi-Shari (now Central African Republic), Chad and Gabon. The countries in this region used common banknotes from 1910-1960. After 1960 the countries gained independence as autonomous members of the French Community.

[Banknote Book: There are catalogs that show different varieties for French Equatorial Africa - use Set Configuration to view other catalogs]

Afrique Française Libre

Under the leadership of Félix Éboué, governor of the French colony of Chad, the region realigned from Vichy (Petain) to Free France (de Gaulle) in 1940.

B201a face
B201a face
B201a (
  • LK504a
  • P-6a
) 5 Francs African Woman with Coffee Plants
Weaving Cloth
  • Printer: BWC
  • ND (1941)
  • 120 x 80mm
  • Sig 1

  • Watermark: Woman in profile

(F)
(B)

Caisse Centrale de la France d'Outre-Mer

From 1941 to 1958, the Caisse Centrale was responsible for issuing banknotes to French West Africa, French Equatorial Africa, Cameroun, Madagascar, the French Overseas Departments (DOM) and Saint Pierre-et-Miquelon. In 1945 it introduced the Franc CFA (Colonies Françaises d’Afrique) for use in the Equatorial African States. In 1959, the banking functions were transferred to the Institut d'Émission des Départements d'Outre-Mer and the Caisse Centrale has transitioned to be an economic development organization for the regions.

B401b face
B401b face
B401b (
  • LK519
  • P-15b
) 5 Francs Marianne de Dulac
Pink.
  • Printer: BWC
  • 2/2/1944
  • 114 x 73mm
  • Sig 2

  • Watermark: None

(F)

1947-52 Issues

The country name is not specified on these notes; the 10F-50F are only distinguished from St. Pierre et Miquelon by serial number range

B406a face
B406a face
B406a (
  • LK531b
  • P-20B
) 5 Francs Bougainville
Louis-Antoine Bougainville; Museum of Joséphine de Beauharnais
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1947)
  • 104 x 56mm
  • Sig 3

  • Watermark: Anchor and Boat

(F)
(B)
B407a face
B407a face
B407a (
  • LK532b
  • P-21
) 10 Francs Jean-Baptiste Colbert
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1950-60)
  • 118 x 64mm
  • Sig 3

  • Watermark: Anchor and Boat

(F)
(B)

Institut d'Émission de l'Afrique Équatoriale Française et du Cameroun

B501a face
B501a face
B501a (
  • LK539b
  • P-28
) 5 Francs Bougainville
Louis-Antoine Bougainville; Museum of Joséphine de Beauharnais
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1957)
  • 104 x 56mm
  • Sig 1

  • Watermark: Anchor and Boat

(F)
(B)
B503a face
B503a face
B503a (
  • LK541b
  • P-30
) 20 Francs Émile Gentil
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1950-60)
  • 130 x 70mm
  • Sig 1

  • Watermark: Anchor and Boat

(F)
(B)
B504a face
B504a face
B504a (
  • LK542b
  • P-31
) 50 Francs Coffee Farming in Cameroon
Logging in Gabon
  • Printer: Banque de l'Algérie
  • ND (1957)
  • Sig 1

  • Watermark: Woman in profile
(F)
(B)
B505a face
B505a face
B505a (
  • LK543b
  • P-32
) 100 Francs Gouv-Gen. Félix Éboué
Ethnic Bamileke at Dock of Douala
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1957)
  • 128 x 83mm
  • Sig 1

  • Watermark: Woman in profile

(F)
(B)
B506as face
B506as (
  • LK544a
  • P-33s
) 500 Francs Woman and Huts
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1957)
  • 140 x 90mm
  • Sig 1
  • Specimen

  • Watermark: Woman in profile
(F)
(B)

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